Kessie Nair, the man who targeted President Ramaphosa in a racist tirade, may head to Fort Napier hospital for a mental illness assessment.

Kessie Nair has been spent a lot of time in court since releasing his racist rant, aimed at President Cyril Ramaphosa, on social media.

The Durban businessman and former ward councillor shot to infamy earlier this month when he chose to berate President Ramaphosa in a bizarrely worded racist tirade, which he subsequently uploaded to Facebook.

Kessie Nair says he is not a racist

Nair, who has previously spent six years in prison for fraud and claims to be a member of the 26’s gang, was initially unrepentant, despite the public outcry and his prompt arrest. Yet, during his most recent court appearance, Nair sang a different jailbird song.

The man, brazen and delusional enough to call President Ramaphosa by the k-word, offered up a ‘heartfelt’ apology while awaiting the results of his bail application bid at the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

When asked by a courtroom reporter if he felt remorse for his actions, Nair replied:

“I would like to this opportunity to publicity to apologise to the state President Mr Cyril Ramaphosa and to the nation as a whole. I am not a racist. I call upon the president and nation as a whole to find it within them to forgive me.”

Prosecution calls for mental assessment

Meanwhile, Nair’s mental stability has come under the spotlight, following statements from family members noting his illness which has affected Nair both emotionally and physically. Yet, despite Nair’s two brothers, ex-wife, and district surgeon supporting claims of dire mental distress – the accused remained adamant that he was ‘sound of mind’.

Chris Gounden, the lawyer representing Nair, has also argued that is client does not suffer from a mental illness. However, state prosecution, represented by Sam Bhartu, has brought an application before the court, calling for Nair to be sent to Fort Napier hospital for 28 days, where the accused will undergo a rigorous mental assessment.

Nair’s ex-wife Visanthi‚ said that since his release from prison in 2009, he began to show signs of mental illness and delusions. The family begged him to seek counselling, but Nair refused.

While, according to The Citizen, a criminal case was lodged against Nair at the Bayview police station by former eThekwini councillor Brandon Pillay, it’s unclear whether President Ramaphosa had filed a statement relating to the matter.

As reported by Times Live, Gounden maintained that President Ramaphosa had not filed a complaint against his client, stating:

“The so-called complainant has not filed a statement. On what basis is my colleague [Bhartu] being so malicious in taking it upon herself to persecute this accused when the so-called complainant has not filed an affadivit?”